Led Zeppelin Tour Now On? | Reports Suggest Robert Plant Has Come On Board
September 26, 2008 by Dave Parrack
Led Zeppelin could be about to tour once again, with reports suggesting that a full reunion is now back on the cards after lead singer Robert Plant finally agreeing to come on board. There has been no official word from the band as of yet, but if this is true, it could see Led Zeppelin kick off a huge world tour in the summer of 2009.
Ever since Led Zeppelin reformed for the one-off Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert at the end of 2007, there has been speculation over the reunion being made more permanent. The fans wanted it to happen, and most of the band did too, but Robert Plant seemed insistent that he was too busy working on his collaboration with Allison Krauss to get involved.
The beginning of this week saw rumours of a split in the camp, with the rest of Led Zeppelin (barring Robert Plant) preparing to go on tour without him. To this end, Jimmy Page, John-Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham had been testing out other singers, with one in particular, rumoured to be Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, standing out.
The report stated that Jimmy Page and co. had issued a sort of ultimatum to Plant: come on tour with us or we’ll find someone else. If true, it seems to have worked, with The Sun reporting that Plant has now signed up to the idea of touring once again.
A source reportedly told the newspaper:
“The rest of the band had all but given up on Robert joining them, but they were determined to go ahead so had started to seriously explore other avenues. When Robert realised the band were serious about doing it without him, it made him think long and hard.”
“He realised he couldn’t face the thought of not being involved. The band were over the moon when he told them the news. They are now forging ahead with the tour plans and they can’t wait to get on the road.”
Who this source is or why they chose to leak the news to The Sun isn’t clear, so I’m waiting for an official announcement of the band’s plans before getting over-excited. However, there’s usually no smoke without fire so I suspect there is a ring of truth to this pronouncement.
The alleged new tour is thought to be being planned for the summer of 2009, although obviously no venues have yet been announced. If this does actually happen, I’d suspect the band would start in the UK before hitting America and beyond. At least I’d hope that’s the order that it’s done in.
With Led Zeppelin splitting up in 1980, when I was just a baby, this would be my first opportunity ever to see one of my favourite bands in the world. Apart of course from the 02 Arena gig which came down to pure luck. I’m willing this story to be true, and I urge you all to do the same – positive thinking and all that.
[Photo Source: From Newscom with permission]
Sorry Dave, but I’ve got to call you out on this one – you mentioned Dave Grohl as a potential singer for Zeppelin but linked to the post where Dave offered his services *as a drummer*.
Now that we’re sure Jason Bonham is on board for Zeppelin (quite rightly), I’m not aware of any talk of Grohl taking over as singer.
I’m stoked about a Zep reunion as much as the next guy, but you may be being misleading by linking to a vaguely related post!
Hey Gerard, thanks for reading as always
The link was indeed to a post about Grohl possibly drumming for Led Zep, and that obviously won’t be now happening. But, I have heard on the grapevine that he was possibly the guy who has been singing with them in the studio recently.
I’ll edit the post to more accurately reflect this.
look like I may be parting with my left nut after all! But since when has the Sun been a reputable source?
They’re not, Scott, which explains my distinct levels of scepticism. Until Led Zep do some sort of official announcement, I won’t believe it’s actually happening.
I didn’t think they were and I wasn’t trying to discredit you or this post either. It just kind of dawned on me after I read it.